|
Index
|
Model:
Commodore 64 ( C64 )
Release Date:
August 1982
Original Price:
$599.99
Processor:
MOS Technology 6510/8500 1.02 MHz
Memory:
64 KB RAM / 20 KB ROM
The successor to the wildly popular VIC-20, the Commodore 64 was, and probably still
is, one of the most well-known personal computers. Over 10,000 programs have been
written for this system during it's lifetime, with many still being written to this
day! You can even find custom designed hardware create as late as 2006. And if you
don't happen to be luck enough to own a C64, don't worry - there are plenty of
emulators available that will allow you to run the software on your over-priced
PC!
Not only was there composite video output and separate Y/C outputs on an 8-pin DIN
plug (which also contained sound I/O) for a dedicated computer monitor, you could
still hook it up to any television set using the RF modulator output. Atari 2600
style joysticks were supported as well as analog paddles, a light pen, the
Commodore 1351 mouse and a KoalaPad. There was a serial bus connector for CBM
disk drives and printers as well as a Datasette tape interface. Finally, there was
a cartridge expansion slot and a user port edge connector with TTL-level RS-232
signals plus power and ground connections.
UPDATE:
I was able to score about seven C64s, six 1541 drives and three C2N datasettes
from a lady - with a promise of more to come. Two of the 64s worked and I was
able to resurrect two more using parts from the other three. All but one of the
drives worked, as well. So I am set with 64s!
Using a schematic
that I found on the net, I built an XE1541 cable. All you need is a 7-pin DIN plug,
an DB-25 male plug and four 1N5819 diodes. Using this cable and two DOS programs -
Star Commander
and 64HDD - you can
connect a PC computer to either the C64 itself or to the 1541 disk drive. With the
PC connected to the C64, running 64HDD, the PC acts a a virtual disk drive to the
C64. This way you can load disk images (downloaded from the internet) just like
you would from a floppy disk. With the PC connected to a 1541 disk drive, running
Star Commander, you can transfer Commodore programs, and even entire disk images,
to and from floppy disks that you can then load on the C64 like normal. I've tried
it both ways and I have to say I was totally amazed!
Furthermore, I have come to realize that the OEM C64 power supplies (the black
bricks), were notorious for failing. And when they did, chances were they were
taking the computer out with them. This is what happened to me twice before I
decided to do something about it. I designed and built a monitor that goes inline
between the computer and the power supply. If the 5vdc line drops below 4.5 volts
or rises above 5.5 volts, or if the 9vac drops out completely, the power supply is
immediately disconnected from the computer. If enough interest is shown in this
unit, I will either sell pre-built units or offer the schematics and PCB design
for free. If you are interested in this unit, send me an email and let me know.
>>
Click here to download the Programmer's Reference Guide (14.0 mb)
>>
Click here to download the User's Guide (61.5 mb)
these manuals were scanned by Richard A. Cini, Jr. and used by permission
>>
Click here to download the Service Manual (1985) (4.87 mb)
>>
Click here to download the Service Manual (1992) (4.78 mb)
>>
Click here to download the Troubleshooting and Repair Guide (11 mb)
>>
Click here to download a Complete Game List
Back to the Top
Pinouts:
5-pin DIN Video
Pin 1 --> Luminance
Pin 2 --- Ground
Pin 3 --> Audio Out
Pin 4 --> Video Out
Pin 5 <-- Audio In
|
8-pin DIN Video
Pin 1 --> Luminance
Pin 2 --- Ground
Pin 3 --> Audio Out
Pin 4 --> Composite Video Out
Pin 5 <-- Audio In
Pin 6 --> Chroma
Pin 7 ... n/c
Pin 8 ... n/c
|
7-pin DIN Power
Pin 1 --- shield ground
Pin 2 --- shield ground
Pin 3 --- shield ground
Pin 4 ... n/c
Pin 5 <-- +5vdc 1.7amp in
Pin 6 <-- 9vac 1amp in
Pin 7 <-- 9vac 1amp in
Controller Ports
Pin 1 <-- [JOYA0] [JOYB0]
Pin 2 <-- [JOYA1] [JOYB1]
Pin 3 <-- [JOYA2] [JOYB2]
Pin 4 <-- [JOYA4] [JOYB4]
Pin 5 <-> [POTAY] [POTBY]
Pin 6 <-> [Button A] [Button B]
Pin 7 --> +5vdc 50mA max
Pin 8 --- Ground
Pin 9 <-> [POTAX] [POTBX]
Cassette Interface
Pin A-1 --- Ground
Pin B-2 --> +5vdc
Pin C-3 --> Cassette Motor +6vdc
Pin D-4 <-- Cassette Read
Pin E-5 --> Cassette Write
Pin F-6 --> Cassette Sense
Serial I/O
Pin 1 <-- Serial SRQIN
Pin 2 --- Ground
Pin 3 <-> Serial ATN
Pin 4 <-> Serial CLK
Pin 5 <-> Serial DATA
Pin 6 <-> Reset
| Cartridge Expansion Port |
 |
| Pin 01 = GND | Pin 23 = GND |
| Pin 02 = +5vdc | Pin 24 = /ROMH |
| Pin 03 = +5vdc | Pin 25 = /RESET |
| Pin 04 = /IRQ | Pin 26 = /NMIRQ |
| Pin 05 = /CR/W | Pin 27 = S02 |
| Pin 06 = DOTCLK | Pin 28 = CA15 |
| Pin 07 = I/O 1 | Pin 29 = CA14 |
| Pin 08 = /GAME | Pin 30 = CA13 |
| Pin 09 = /EXROM | Pin 31 = CA12 |
| Pin 10 = I/O 2 | Pin 32 = CA11 |
| Pin 11 = /ROML | Pin 33 = CA10 |
| Pin 12 = BA | Pin 34 = CA9 |
| Pin 13 = /DMA | Pin 35 = CA8 |
| Pin 14 = CD7 | Pin 36 = CA7 |
| Pin 15 = CD6 | Pin 37 = CA6 |
| Pin 16 = CD5 | Pin 38 = CA5 |
| Pin 17 = CD4 | Pin 39 = CA4 |
| Pin 18 = CD3 | Pin 40 = CA3 |
| Pin 19 = CD2 | Pin 41 = CA2 |
| Pin 20 = CD1 | Pin 42 = CA1 |
| Pin 21 = CD0 | Pin 43 = CA0 |
| Pin 22 = GND | Pin 44 = GND |
| User Expansion Port |
 |
| Pin 01 = GND | Pin 13 = GND |
| Pin 02 = +5vdc (100 mA max) | Pin 14 = /FLAG2 |
| Pin 03 = /RESET | Pin 15 = Data0 |
| Pin 04 = CouNTer1 | Pin 16 = Data1 |
| Pin 05 = SerialPort1 | Pin 17 = Data2 |
| Pin 06 = CouNTer2 | Pin 18 = Data3 |
| Pin 07 = SerialPort2 | Pin 19 = Data4 |
| Pin 08 = /PC2 | Pin 20 = Data5 |
| Pin 09 = ATN | Pin 21 = Data6 |
| Pin 10 = +9vac (+ phase) | Pin 22 = Data7 |
| Pin 11 = +9vac (- phase) | Pin 23 = PA2 |
| Pin 12 = GND | Pin 24 = GND |
All Pin-Outs Are Courtesy of
the Hardware Book Project
The Manuals Were Downloaded From
www.commodore.ca
and Compiled Here For Your Convenience
Back to the Top
|
Commodore